John J. 'Buddy' Kirlin, Company Founder, 82, Washington Post
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/04/AR2008100402011_3.html
John J. 'Buddy' Kirlin Company Founder
John J. "Buddy" Kirlin, 82, who founded one of the region's leading
mechanical contracting firms, died September 30 [2008] of congestive heart
failure at his home in Chevy Chase [Maryland].
In 1960, Mr. Kirlin formed John J. Kirlin Inc. in the basement of his house
in Washington [DC]. Over the next three decades, he expanded the company
into one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast. The firm specializes
in heating and ventilation systems in large commercial buildings.
He later established an asbestos removal firm and acquired air conditioning
and building maintenance businesses. In the late 1980s, he sold his company
but remained as president and chairman of the board until he retired in
1995.
Mr. Kirlin was born in Philadelphia [Pennsylvania] and came to Washington
[DC] as a child. He was a graduate of St. John's College High School.
He served in the Army in Germany from 1950 to 1952 and was in the reserves
until 1956. He worked for several area contractors before forming his own
business.
He was on the boards of Riggs National Bank and Century Bank, and was a
member of the Mechanical Contractors Association.
He was a major fundraiser for Georgetown Prep, Landon School, Bullis School
and Holton-Arms School. He was a member of the Metropolitan Club, Columbia
Country Club and Burning Tree Golf and Country Club.
He had a second home in Palm Beach, Florida.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann Kerr Kirlin of Chevy Chase
and Palm Beach; four children, John P. Kirlin II and Mary Ann Huntington,
both of Chevy Chase, Thomas J. Kirlin of Eagle Rock, Virginia, and Timothy
J. Kirlin of Bethesda [Maryland]; a sister, Anne Donatelli of Potomac
[Maryland]; and seven grandchildren.
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Matt Schudel